But the emerging partnerships between Islamabad and Middle East capitals are also reshaping the region's security dynamics, pushing the militarily weaker Gulf states closer to larger and better-armed neighbors -- Pakistan and India. Kuwait, like other Gulf states, came under repeated Iranian missile and drone attacks before ratifying the agreement, causing damage to infrastructure and casualties. On top of that, leaders of the "regional four," or R4 -- Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey -- have been discussing closer security cooperation since the 12-day US-Israel-Iran conflict in June 2025. "It maintains ties with Saudi Arabia, Iran, China, and the US without fully joining any one camp, making it a useful security partner in a more multipolar region." "Rather than trying to compete with a much larger India in South Asia, Pakistan has successfully leveraged the US-Iran conflict to position itself as a Middle Eastern power."